Rudy Crew
Encyclopedia
Rudolph F. "Rudy" Crew is professor of Clinical Education at the University of Southern California
's Rossier School of Education
. He is a former Superintendent
of Miami-Dade County Public Schools
. Appointed to the post in 2004, Crew previously was an executive at the Stupski Foundation, as well as a board member at The Center for Arts Education
. Prior to that he served as the executive director of the University of Washington
's Institute for K-12 Leadership. Before the university position, he served as chancellor of the New York City Board of Education
, 1995–1999, where many educators, including Thomas Sobol who served as the state education commissioner, believe Crew left behind an important legacy.
Crew’s leadership in Miami was reflected in recognition as a finalist for the prestigious Broad Prize for three consecutive years (2006–08), and in School Improvement Zone being named a Top 50 Innovation by Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Institute, 12 high schools being named among the best by Newsweek, Crew was named the 2008 National Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators
(AASA), topping the 50 state winners. His initiatives have led the District to be viewed nationally as a model of success, with the secondary-school reform program being credited with Miami’s graduation-rate boost.
Crew has also garnered controversy. At a June 2008 school board meeting, Crew said the district had overspent millions of dollars during the past two years because it had hired more teachers than budgeted, lost state funding, and encountered rising costs. School Board member Renier Diaz De La Portilla called for Crew's ouster, criticizing the way he has managed the schools' budget. Ana Rivas Logan, another board member, called Crew "insubordinate." At an August 4, 2008 school board meeting, the item to terminate Crew's contract failed. Despite Crew's strong support from business and community leaders, the School Board bought out his contract at its September 10, 2008 meeting.
as undergraduates. He holds Master of Education and a Doctor of Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst
.
He began his career as a school administrator in Worcester, Massachusetts
. He also worked in administrative positions in Boston, Massachusetts and was the assistant superintendent and superintendent of schools in Sacramento, California
.
as chancellor of New York City's Board of Education. As chancellor of the nation’s largest school district, Crew was referred to as the “other” Rudy.
He opposed Mayor Giuliani
's plan to initiate a private school voucher system. The New York Times wrote that Giuliani "drove the chancellor out with a campaign of public criticism.
.
There has been substantial academic research on changes to oversight in New York City that indicate Crew's creation of a more autonomous "Chancellor's District" was effective turning around failing schools. In 2010, the Coalition for Educational Justice in New York City cited the Chancellor’s District and Crew's School Improvement Zone in Miami as a framework for their School Transformation Zone.
In New York, a 1997 report by Edward F. Stancik, the Special Commissioner of Investigation, questioned school administrators for not following procedures and delaying the report of a rape of a 14-year old girl, which was the third instance in that high school. In response to the report, Crew initiated due process procedures to determine disciplinary action for the administrators involved. In Miami, Crew’s administration was once again involved in not reporting a crime and obstructing the investigation involving the sexual assault of a 14-year-old female student by a football player, who was later charged with lewd and lascivious assault on a minor.
In both New York and Miami, Crew was blamed for organizing efforts to remove independent oversight during his tenure. Crew engaged in a campaign to have New York’s independent investigator Edward F. Stancik removed by accusing him of exaggerating his reports saying they were overly dramatic and adversely affected the school system. In Miami, a civil suit was brought against Crew by the former Miami-Dade County Public Schools Inspector General, Herbert Cousins, a former FBI agent who alleges Crew and his staff slandered and defamed him to obstruct his investigation and disclosure of illegal activities by Crew and some board members.
When looking at Crew’s student achievement record, some point to one-year drops in test scores as a picture of his overall record. The Abt report concluded that Tacoma’s 1995 increase in test scores was most likely a result of efforts to increase student test-taking skills, but Tacoma school officials believe the short-term gains were a result of Crew leaving for New York causing a setback in continued improvement. Peter Sacks, an author and journalist, said that Crew is one of a breed of superintendent who focuses on short-term gains that may not be good for the district in the long-term. However, in New York, reforms initiated during Crew’s tenure have been credited with playing a role in the continually improving test scores that his successors have achieved. During Crew’s tenure, student achievement levels had been rising steadily for several years when math and science scores dropped in 1997, as a result of new tests and higher standards. At the time, Mayor Giuliani placed blame on the school board and the dysfunctional system itself.
In Miami, critics point to an increase in “F” schools during 2007 that was actually a state-wide phenomenon caused by a change in the school grading formula. The Greater-Miami Chamber of Commerce stated that Crew’s success was reflected in the District’s performance on the FCAT, which continues a trend that adds up to significant improvement over the last five years. In 2009, this overall trend continued, and Miami high school students made greater gains than their peers statewide. Crew’s secondary school reform initiative was credited by his successor for boosting the district’s high school graduation rate.
In June 2008, the Miami Herald reported that Crew's School Improvement Zone generated few noteworthy achievements in its first year. One school board member stated, "We spent $100 million and it didn't do anything. To me, that's a complete failure." Defenders of the program note that over the project's three year history, substantial gains have been made, including the percentage of "D" and "F" schools dropping from 90% in 2005 to 22% in 2007. One principal credited the initiative with helping her school raise its grade from a “D” to an “A” in three years.
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
's Rossier School of Education
USC Rossier School of Education
The University of Southern California's Rossier School of Education is one of the graduate schools of the University of Southern California. The Rossier School offers six Masters degree programs, a Doctor of Education degree, and a Ph.D. in Urban Education Policy. The Rossier School places an...
. He is a former Superintendent
Superintendent (education)
In education in the United States, a superintendent is an individual who has executive oversight and administration rights, usually within an educational entity or organization....
of Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
Miami-Dade County Public Schools is a public school district serving Miami-Dade County, Florida. Founded in 1885, it is the largest school district in Florida and the Southeastern United States, and the fourth largest in the United States, with a student enrollment of 380,006 as of July 5, 2010...
. Appointed to the post in 2004, Crew previously was an executive at the Stupski Foundation, as well as a board member at The Center for Arts Education
The center for arts education
The Center for Arts Education is a nonprofit organization that is committed to stimulating and sustaining quality arts education as an essential part of every child’s education in the New York City public schools. Since 1996, CAE has invested nearly $40 million to support schools and cultural...
. Prior to that he served as the executive director of the University of Washington
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
's Institute for K-12 Leadership. Before the university position, he served as chancellor of the New York City Board of Education
New York City Board of Education
The New York City Board of Education is the governing body of the New York City Department of Education. The members of the board are appointed by the mayor and by the five borough presidents.-Rise, fall and return of Mayoral Control:...
, 1995–1999, where many educators, including Thomas Sobol who served as the state education commissioner, believe Crew left behind an important legacy.
Crew’s leadership in Miami was reflected in recognition as a finalist for the prestigious Broad Prize for three consecutive years (2006–08), and in School Improvement Zone being named a Top 50 Innovation by Harvard Kennedy School's Ash Institute, 12 high schools being named among the best by Newsweek, Crew was named the 2008 National Superintendent of the Year by the American Association of School Administrators
American Association of School Administrators
The American Association of School Administrators , founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 14,000 educational leaders across the United States. AASA’s members are chief executive officers and senior-level administrators from school districts in every region of the country,...
(AASA), topping the 50 state winners. His initiatives have led the District to be viewed nationally as a model of success, with the secondary-school reform program being credited with Miami’s graduation-rate boost.
Crew has also garnered controversy. At a June 2008 school board meeting, Crew said the district had overspent millions of dollars during the past two years because it had hired more teachers than budgeted, lost state funding, and encountered rising costs. School Board member Renier Diaz De La Portilla called for Crew's ouster, criticizing the way he has managed the schools' budget. Ana Rivas Logan, another board member, called Crew "insubordinate." At an August 4, 2008 school board meeting, the item to terminate Crew's contract failed. Despite Crew's strong support from business and community leaders, the School Board bought out his contract at its September 10, 2008 meeting.
Early years
Crew's mother died when he was an infant and he was raised by his father, Eugene Crew. Crew was the first male in his family to attend college, and he was among the African-American students that helped integrate Babson CollegeBabson College
Babson College is a private business school located in Wellesley, Massachusetts near Boston.- History :Babson College was founded by Roger Babson on September 3, 1919, as the Babson Institute. It was renamed "Babson College" in 1969...
as undergraduates. He holds Master of Education and a Doctor of Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst
University of Massachusetts Amherst
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts, United States and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system...
.
He began his career as a school administrator in Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
. He also worked in administrative positions in Boston, Massachusetts and was the assistant superintendent and superintendent of schools in Sacramento, California
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
.
Relations with New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani
Crew replaced Ramon C. CortinesRamon C. Cortines
Ramon Curtis Cortines is a retired American educator who was the Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District in Los Angeles, California from January 1, 2009 to April 16, 2011....
as chancellor of New York City's Board of Education. As chancellor of the nation’s largest school district, Crew was referred to as the “other” Rudy.
He opposed Mayor Giuliani
Giuliani
Giuliani is an Italian family name, which can refer to:* Rudolph Giuliani, former mayor of New York City, and former candidate for United States President in 2008.** Judith Giuliani, his wife...
's plan to initiate a private school voucher system. The New York Times wrote that Giuliani "drove the chancellor out with a campaign of public criticism.
Career after New York
In 2005 and in 2007 Crew's name was floated as a potential superintendent of District of Columbia Public SchoolsDistrict of Columbia Public Schools
District of Columbia Public Schools is the traditional public school system of Washington, D.C. in the United States.- Composition and enrollment :...
.
There has been substantial academic research on changes to oversight in New York City that indicate Crew's creation of a more autonomous "Chancellor's District" was effective turning around failing schools. In 2010, the Coalition for Educational Justice in New York City cited the Chancellor’s District and Crew's School Improvement Zone in Miami as a framework for their School Transformation Zone.
Controversies
During his career, Crew's administrations have been marred by unreported cases of sexual assaults, drops in test scores and efforts to remove independent oversight.In New York, a 1997 report by Edward F. Stancik, the Special Commissioner of Investigation, questioned school administrators for not following procedures and delaying the report of a rape of a 14-year old girl, which was the third instance in that high school. In response to the report, Crew initiated due process procedures to determine disciplinary action for the administrators involved. In Miami, Crew’s administration was once again involved in not reporting a crime and obstructing the investigation involving the sexual assault of a 14-year-old female student by a football player, who was later charged with lewd and lascivious assault on a minor.
In both New York and Miami, Crew was blamed for organizing efforts to remove independent oversight during his tenure. Crew engaged in a campaign to have New York’s independent investigator Edward F. Stancik removed by accusing him of exaggerating his reports saying they were overly dramatic and adversely affected the school system. In Miami, a civil suit was brought against Crew by the former Miami-Dade County Public Schools Inspector General, Herbert Cousins, a former FBI agent who alleges Crew and his staff slandered and defamed him to obstruct his investigation and disclosure of illegal activities by Crew and some board members.
When looking at Crew’s student achievement record, some point to one-year drops in test scores as a picture of his overall record. The Abt report concluded that Tacoma’s 1995 increase in test scores was most likely a result of efforts to increase student test-taking skills, but Tacoma school officials believe the short-term gains were a result of Crew leaving for New York causing a setback in continued improvement. Peter Sacks, an author and journalist, said that Crew is one of a breed of superintendent who focuses on short-term gains that may not be good for the district in the long-term. However, in New York, reforms initiated during Crew’s tenure have been credited with playing a role in the continually improving test scores that his successors have achieved. During Crew’s tenure, student achievement levels had been rising steadily for several years when math and science scores dropped in 1997, as a result of new tests and higher standards. At the time, Mayor Giuliani placed blame on the school board and the dysfunctional system itself.
In Miami, critics point to an increase in “F” schools during 2007 that was actually a state-wide phenomenon caused by a change in the school grading formula. The Greater-Miami Chamber of Commerce stated that Crew’s success was reflected in the District’s performance on the FCAT, which continues a trend that adds up to significant improvement over the last five years. In 2009, this overall trend continued, and Miami high school students made greater gains than their peers statewide. Crew’s secondary school reform initiative was credited by his successor for boosting the district’s high school graduation rate.
In June 2008, the Miami Herald reported that Crew's School Improvement Zone generated few noteworthy achievements in its first year. One school board member stated, "We spent $100 million and it didn't do anything. To me, that's a complete failure." Defenders of the program note that over the project's three year history, substantial gains have been made, including the percentage of "D" and "F" schools dropping from 90% in 2005 to 22% in 2007. One principal credited the initiative with helping her school raise its grade from a “D” to an “A” in three years.
Book by Crew
- Only Connect: The Way to Save Our Schools. New York, Farrar, Straus and Giroux. (2007) ISBN 0374294011
See also
- Mayoralty of Rudy GiulianiMayoralty of Rudy GiulianiRudy Giuliani served as the 107th Mayor of New York City from January 1, 1994 until December 31, 2001.-Crime control:...
- Miami-Dade County Public SchoolsMiami-Dade County Public SchoolsMiami-Dade County Public Schools is a public school district serving Miami-Dade County, Florida. Founded in 1885, it is the largest school district in Florida and the Southeastern United States, and the fourth largest in the United States, with a student enrollment of 380,006 as of July 5, 2010...
- New York City Board of EducationNew York City Board of EducationThe New York City Board of Education is the governing body of the New York City Department of Education. The members of the board are appointed by the mayor and by the five borough presidents.-Rise, fall and return of Mayoral Control:...